According to the now-extinct ancient Mayans, we're all screwed come Friday.
Wait, God, before I die, could I have at least one legitimate sexual experience? PLEASE? (Disregard if I wake up alive and the world is intact on Saturday morning).
But joke or now, I for the first time living in Northern New York have as much respect for the (Plattsburgh) Press-Republican as I do for the Malone Telegram. I've always found the columns in the Press-Republican disgusting, almost written for people who are as scared as Catholic extremists and paranoid gun owners. But Steve Ouellette's column on "Extinction event on the way", whether written as a joke or not, is still absurd, considering the amount of idiots who believe the end of the world is near.
As much as I call myself a Christian, I don't believe in the End Times and the Second Coming UNTIL the exact moment that time comes. I know, there's the "live like this is your last day" creed, but I also follow the "there's always a tomorrow". Always be prepared to wake up in the morning, even if (God forbid) you don't.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
John Boehner Needs Coffee
That or the Democrats seriously need a restraining order between him and the Tea Party.
Boehner's problem is of all things the Tea Party Caucus, run by the insanity that is Michele Bachmann. I should thank the Lord that my mother is Laura Baci Clark and not Michele Bachmann. She, Sarah Palin and my stepdad's ex-wife all have that charm about them-a lack of charm.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid, who is no angel himself, said "It would be a shame if Republicans abandoned productive negotiations due to pressure from the tea party, as they have time and again." I'm going to play Keith Olbermann for a second and say "So it seems the GOP is ACTUALLY losing touch with reality. They want their cake AND they want to eat it."The problem is the Tea Party has too much control over what goes on in Congress, and progress isn't what they strive for. Of course that's just my observation.
I feel this way: the Tea Party and anti-government Republicans need to come out and just say it: they will not rest until the United States government resembles that of 1789 or even 1900. But the world is a different place, and the Republicans refuse to factor that in. The Republican obsession over shrinking the United States government is more damaging than productive. If I was President Obama, I'd include some of the major Tea Party players in discussions, since they have so much power in Congress. I don't think I could trust anyone in Congress with the federal budget. And CNN gives a scary (and slightly whacked out) explanation. If the Tea Party and someone with more courage than Boehner were in office, this whole issue would be moot. I'm a bit of an extremest when it comes to proving points, but I'll say it: the US government credit rating should be downgraded until the agencies (S&P and Moody's for example) see the nation run by competent legislators. Term limits anyone? America needs to change, even if it comes down to kicking and screaming.
But that would backfire on everyone. The Tea Party is less favorable than it was two years or even a year ago. And people would question Obama in so many ways. And for Obama to give the Tea Party attention would be an ego boost that the Tea Party does not deserve.
So, it appears New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority chair Joseph Lhota is expected to step down from his position as Chairman to run for Mayor of New York City. I wish him luck, both humorously and in all seriousness. The MTA, for those of you who are not familiar with the Tri-State area, is constantly getting bad press for service problems, fare hikes and general perception of corruption (although that could generally be a result of a pension program that is quite possibly TOO generous). The question now would he who to replace Mr. Lhota with.
My issue with Mr. Lhota is he just doesn't have that Mike Bloomberg-esque charm. Yes, I believe that Mayor Bloomberg has a certain charm to him, being open-minded, calling people out when necessary and despite being a native of Beantown (Boston), he comes off quite New York-ish. But I will give Mr. Lhota credit. Except for the Long Island Rail Road and a section of the IND Rockaway line,
However, New York City, as liberal as a city it is, has elected two Republicans* since 1993. But nonetheless, even Mayor Bloomberg's critics have an once at least of respect for him, some even more, for speaking clear conscience.
And in other news, Apple didn't get their way. Samsung was given a favorable judgement, which allows them to continue selling their most popular smartphones here in the U.S. I give kudos to Judge Lucy Koh for seeing competition in the digital ecosystem necessary.
I have told people for years that I will never buy an iPhone unless it were for work and if it were only a GSM model. But I have problems with the way Apple goes about the iPhone route. The SIM is for all practical purposes locked, meaning that you need to go to AT&T to get international roaming, which is monopolistic. In general however, I believe the smartphone subsidy system is absurd. Just like data caps. I understand having limits on cell phone data, since no one should use a cell signal for streaming Netflix. But for using the internet at home? The average American household goes through close to 2TB of data transmission a month. I know I go through quite a bit myself, through flight simulator addons, movie streaming, Facebook (which is surprisingly data hungry) and online gaming, which is another data hog if I recall correctly. If everyone were to get data caps for whatever internet they use, YouTube and Netflix would be out of business. America (and the world) needs unlimited internet.
And as I write this, there's a move to have Ben Affleck represent Massachusetts in the US Senate. And with what qualifications? Sure, he's a liberal and he seems like a nice guy. But still.
To close, I had my interview with jetBlue. Other than the fact I mentioned I'm at the moment ineligible to get a pilot's license due to meds and that I want to be an airline vice-president and/or start my own regional airline, I think I did pretty well. I was a little nervous, but not as nervous for when I interviewed for Premier Technologies. If jetBlue wants a company historian one day, count me in! ;-)
*Mike Bloomberg ran and was a registered Republican when he ran for Mayor in 2001. He left the party a few years later, citing disagreements with the party on social and environmental issues, both crucial to a mayor in a city as populated and diverse as New York City.
Boehner's problem is of all things the Tea Party Caucus, run by the insanity that is Michele Bachmann. I should thank the Lord that my mother is Laura Baci Clark and not Michele Bachmann. She, Sarah Palin and my stepdad's ex-wife all have that charm about them-a lack of charm.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid, who is no angel himself, said "It would be a shame if Republicans abandoned productive negotiations due to pressure from the tea party, as they have time and again." I'm going to play Keith Olbermann for a second and say "So it seems the GOP is ACTUALLY losing touch with reality. They want their cake AND they want to eat it."The problem is the Tea Party has too much control over what goes on in Congress, and progress isn't what they strive for. Of course that's just my observation.
I feel this way: the Tea Party and anti-government Republicans need to come out and just say it: they will not rest until the United States government resembles that of 1789 or even 1900. But the world is a different place, and the Republicans refuse to factor that in. The Republican obsession over shrinking the United States government is more damaging than productive. If I was President Obama, I'd include some of the major Tea Party players in discussions, since they have so much power in Congress. I don't think I could trust anyone in Congress with the federal budget. And CNN gives a scary (and slightly whacked out) explanation. If the Tea Party and someone with more courage than Boehner were in office, this whole issue would be moot. I'm a bit of an extremest when it comes to proving points, but I'll say it: the US government credit rating should be downgraded until the agencies (S&P and Moody's for example) see the nation run by competent legislators. Term limits anyone? America needs to change, even if it comes down to kicking and screaming.
But that would backfire on everyone. The Tea Party is less favorable than it was two years or even a year ago. And people would question Obama in so many ways. And for Obama to give the Tea Party attention would be an ego boost that the Tea Party does not deserve.
So, it appears New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority chair Joseph Lhota is expected to step down from his position as Chairman to run for Mayor of New York City. I wish him luck, both humorously and in all seriousness. The MTA, for those of you who are not familiar with the Tri-State area, is constantly getting bad press for service problems, fare hikes and general perception of corruption (although that could generally be a result of a pension program that is quite possibly TOO generous). The question now would he who to replace Mr. Lhota with.
My issue with Mr. Lhota is he just doesn't have that Mike Bloomberg-esque charm. Yes, I believe that Mayor Bloomberg has a certain charm to him, being open-minded, calling people out when necessary and despite being a native of Beantown (Boston), he comes off quite New York-ish. But I will give Mr. Lhota credit. Except for the Long Island Rail Road and a section of the IND Rockaway line,
However, New York City, as liberal as a city it is, has elected two Republicans* since 1993. But nonetheless, even Mayor Bloomberg's critics have an once at least of respect for him, some even more, for speaking clear conscience.
And in other news, Apple didn't get their way. Samsung was given a favorable judgement, which allows them to continue selling their most popular smartphones here in the U.S. I give kudos to Judge Lucy Koh for seeing competition in the digital ecosystem necessary.
I have told people for years that I will never buy an iPhone unless it were for work and if it were only a GSM model. But I have problems with the way Apple goes about the iPhone route. The SIM is for all practical purposes locked, meaning that you need to go to AT&T to get international roaming, which is monopolistic. In general however, I believe the smartphone subsidy system is absurd. Just like data caps. I understand having limits on cell phone data, since no one should use a cell signal for streaming Netflix. But for using the internet at home? The average American household goes through close to 2TB of data transmission a month. I know I go through quite a bit myself, through flight simulator addons, movie streaming, Facebook (which is surprisingly data hungry) and online gaming, which is another data hog if I recall correctly. If everyone were to get data caps for whatever internet they use, YouTube and Netflix would be out of business. America (and the world) needs unlimited internet.
And as I write this, there's a move to have Ben Affleck represent Massachusetts in the US Senate. And with what qualifications? Sure, he's a liberal and he seems like a nice guy. But still.
To close, I had my interview with jetBlue. Other than the fact I mentioned I'm at the moment ineligible to get a pilot's license due to meds and that I want to be an airline vice-president and/or start my own regional airline, I think I did pretty well. I was a little nervous, but not as nervous for when I interviewed for Premier Technologies. If jetBlue wants a company historian one day, count me in! ;-)
*Mike Bloomberg ran and was a registered Republican when he ran for Mayor in 2001. He left the party a few years later, citing disagreements with the party on social and environmental issues, both crucial to a mayor in a city as populated and diverse as New York City.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
A Housatonic Valley Massacre and a Bad Luck Boeing and Other Rubbish
I am Alexander Ivanoff, and I admit that there is bias through this entire blog entry.
First, my heart goes out to the communities in my (formerly) next-door neighbor county of Fairfield County, Connecticut. I know people from Connecticut and the school shooting in Newtown is almost as if it happened right in Brewster (Southeast), a community whose school system often has exhibition games with schools in Fairfield Count.
Gun control should be a constant topic in American political circles, not just when shootings in theatres, military bases, shopping malls and schools occur. It should be everyday. Although coming from Northern New York, where a strong gun culture that stems from recreational hunting exists, I believe that guns should ONLY be used for gathering food for your family (and indirectly controlling the deer population), NOT for harming the lives of innocent human beings. The life of every human, no matter how depressing or horrid that might be, is valued and should be with utmost dignity. I applaud NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg for starting the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. If I were a mayor or town supervisor in New York, I would sign the statement of principles, no matter how hard it would be for my conscience to allow me to sign it. Gun ownership is a privilege and not a right, and should always be treated as such, even if our national Constitution allows gun ownership.
But the plot thickens. As I write this, while taking a break from flying planes on the computer (something I have discovered I can only do so much of) the shooter, whose name I won't mention out of respect for all involved, was reported as having Asperger syndrome. As many of you know, I myself have Asperger sydrome. It's painful. I've had some really sickening thoughts run through my head at times. But then I realize: first, I don't want to hurt anyone intentionally. Whether it be through words or actions, I just don't. I cringe when I kill wasps/hornets because I was taught not to kill living things. But I worry though that one day, I'm going to have an anaphylactic shock because of a bee sting. I still haven't been the first person elected to political office on the autism spectrum!
Even today, society portrays those with Asperger's syndrome no better than they did of those with much more severe mental handicaps/developmental disabilities only three decades ago. It's a shame and we can do better as a society. Most, and I think all of us on the spectrum can feel pain. Unfortunately, the way we can express that pain can come out in the worst of ways. But to jump to the conclusion, like the writers at Rupert Murdoch's New York City rag did is horrifying.
What's even more tragic is the deaths of all involved. Like the heroic teacher who was in my eyes just doing her job. There's some polite and flattering things that I would want to comment about her in this entry, but once again, out of the respect for all, I'm not going to. And those children, younger than my two middle-school aged half-brothers, who will never be able to experience aspects of life. These children are so young that Bush was President when they were born. Growing up, my brain has matured enough to where I now see elementary school teachers in a brighter light.
And onto another less disturbing topic. As many of you know, I think of Airbus as a spoiled rotten brat run by a spoiled rotten brat. I know of people by the last name of Leahy, and the ones I know I love and adore, whether they live in the North Country or the Mohawk Valley or the Green Mountain State (and help represent it with America's only elected socialist at the national level, no less).
Except for one, John Leahy, the COO at Airbus.
*Disclaimer: I am being somewhat constructive of what I say, as I am applying to work for a company which is an Airbus client AND Mr. Leahy is a Syracuse University graduate, making him a New York native of any sort.
I do give Airbus a significant amount of respect. I think the A3(XX) series of aircraft are intelligent designs, which makes it possible for one to be crossed trained on the A318 to A380 and everything in between in no time at all. Boeing has yet not entered the realm of cockpit commonality, which upsets me. And Boeing could (with some serious design work, MAYBE) raise the height of the 737. Being low to the ground does present problems, even though I think every plane should be designed like a 757.
But I am a Boeing "fanboy" by nature. My dad's cousin Walter is a former Boeing engineer whose work made the 777 and 787 (and quite possibly the 737NG as well) possible. He's a fibre-optics guy who still knows people there and on very rare occasion works with Boeing (I need to clarify that somehow). And Boeings are designed (mostly designed at least) and assembled in America, just like Cessnas (sans the C162 Skycatcher, with Cessna Textron should really rethink)
Anyways, I was on aviation site FlightAware and an article popped up on how the head of Qatar Airways had thrown a hissyfit over the grounding of his company's Boeing 787 Dreamliner due to maintenance issues. In the interest of sourcing all of what I say, here is the original article.
I had to agree with the person who started the discussion, with a few disagreements. Most of this paranoia about the 787 has stemmed from Boeing's problems from Day One on the plane. Boeing should have brought parts suppliers under its control, should have written off several billion on the plane itself because of its forward technology and the general cost of developing a new aircraft.
The 787 will be a success, and customers are satisfied despite the bugs. JAL is connecting Boston with Asia, San Jose, CA, which needs a link to Asia because of the Silicon Valley, is getting a flight through ANA, ditto for San Diego. I understand how with aviation fuel so expensive, airline execs are antsy. They need planes that will make cash.
It comes down to that Boeing should call up Rolls-Royce and GE and offer them into a 767 reengining project. Ditto for the 757 if something can be done in that arena. If I was an airline exec and I was already happy with a 767 fleet, I'd want to build on that with a new engine. The USAF did a few years back by re-engining the KC-135 transports/tankers and a company founded by a former McDonnell Douglas executive, Jackson McGowan, whose company, Cammacorp, turned out about 100+ re-engined Douglas DC-8s with high-bypass turbofans.
Hey, can someone give me money to start an airline?
And if all that wasn't bad enough, a CNET writer gave me the exact reason why I've lost a fair bit of interest in Apple: the rumor mills. I stopped going on MacNN and it's affiliate websites a few years back. I probably don't even know my password for their forums.
Once again, people are putting words in the mouths of celebrities. Give Morgan Freeman a break. As much as it sounds wonderful and I'd like to believe that Freeman would write something like that, I can't. Not in today's society which resembles the phone chains we did in elementary school (back to that again!)
And finally, I close by yet another argument: Jennifer Lawrence, from the Hunger Games fame, looks just like someone I went to college with who honestly is one of the most attractive ladies I've come into over the years.
I'm done. There might be updates to this for clarity's sake and all that jazz, and because I like that stuff.
Signed,
Mediocre Man
P.S. Rachel, if you're reading this, disregard liking this because I know almost anything I say you agree with.
First, my heart goes out to the communities in my (formerly) next-door neighbor county of Fairfield County, Connecticut. I know people from Connecticut and the school shooting in Newtown is almost as if it happened right in Brewster (Southeast), a community whose school system often has exhibition games with schools in Fairfield Count.
Gun control should be a constant topic in American political circles, not just when shootings in theatres, military bases, shopping malls and schools occur. It should be everyday. Although coming from Northern New York, where a strong gun culture that stems from recreational hunting exists, I believe that guns should ONLY be used for gathering food for your family (and indirectly controlling the deer population), NOT for harming the lives of innocent human beings. The life of every human, no matter how depressing or horrid that might be, is valued and should be with utmost dignity. I applaud NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg for starting the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition. If I were a mayor or town supervisor in New York, I would sign the statement of principles, no matter how hard it would be for my conscience to allow me to sign it. Gun ownership is a privilege and not a right, and should always be treated as such, even if our national Constitution allows gun ownership.
But the plot thickens. As I write this, while taking a break from flying planes on the computer (something I have discovered I can only do so much of) the shooter, whose name I won't mention out of respect for all involved, was reported as having Asperger syndrome. As many of you know, I myself have Asperger sydrome. It's painful. I've had some really sickening thoughts run through my head at times. But then I realize: first, I don't want to hurt anyone intentionally. Whether it be through words or actions, I just don't. I cringe when I kill wasps/hornets because I was taught not to kill living things. But I worry though that one day, I'm going to have an anaphylactic shock because of a bee sting. I still haven't been the first person elected to political office on the autism spectrum!
Even today, society portrays those with Asperger's syndrome no better than they did of those with much more severe mental handicaps/developmental disabilities only three decades ago. It's a shame and we can do better as a society. Most, and I think all of us on the spectrum can feel pain. Unfortunately, the way we can express that pain can come out in the worst of ways. But to jump to the conclusion, like the writers at Rupert Murdoch's New York City rag did is horrifying.
What's even more tragic is the deaths of all involved. Like the heroic teacher who was in my eyes just doing her job. There's some polite and flattering things that I would want to comment about her in this entry, but once again, out of the respect for all, I'm not going to. And those children, younger than my two middle-school aged half-brothers, who will never be able to experience aspects of life. These children are so young that Bush was President when they were born. Growing up, my brain has matured enough to where I now see elementary school teachers in a brighter light.
And onto another less disturbing topic. As many of you know, I think of Airbus as a spoiled rotten brat run by a spoiled rotten brat. I know of people by the last name of Leahy, and the ones I know I love and adore, whether they live in the North Country or the Mohawk Valley or the Green Mountain State (and help represent it with America's only elected socialist at the national level, no less).
Except for one, John Leahy, the COO at Airbus.
*Disclaimer: I am being somewhat constructive of what I say, as I am applying to work for a company which is an Airbus client AND Mr. Leahy is a Syracuse University graduate, making him a New York native of any sort.
I do give Airbus a significant amount of respect. I think the A3(XX) series of aircraft are intelligent designs, which makes it possible for one to be crossed trained on the A318 to A380 and everything in between in no time at all. Boeing has yet not entered the realm of cockpit commonality, which upsets me. And Boeing could (with some serious design work, MAYBE) raise the height of the 737. Being low to the ground does present problems, even though I think every plane should be designed like a 757.
But I am a Boeing "fanboy" by nature. My dad's cousin Walter is a former Boeing engineer whose work made the 777 and 787 (and quite possibly the 737NG as well) possible. He's a fibre-optics guy who still knows people there and on very rare occasion works with Boeing (I need to clarify that somehow). And Boeings are designed (mostly designed at least) and assembled in America, just like Cessnas (sans the C162 Skycatcher, with Cessna Textron should really rethink)
Anyways, I was on aviation site FlightAware and an article popped up on how the head of Qatar Airways had thrown a hissyfit over the grounding of his company's Boeing 787 Dreamliner due to maintenance issues. In the interest of sourcing all of what I say, here is the original article.
I had to agree with the person who started the discussion, with a few disagreements. Most of this paranoia about the 787 has stemmed from Boeing's problems from Day One on the plane. Boeing should have brought parts suppliers under its control, should have written off several billion on the plane itself because of its forward technology and the general cost of developing a new aircraft.
The 787 will be a success, and customers are satisfied despite the bugs. JAL is connecting Boston with Asia, San Jose, CA, which needs a link to Asia because of the Silicon Valley, is getting a flight through ANA, ditto for San Diego. I understand how with aviation fuel so expensive, airline execs are antsy. They need planes that will make cash.
It comes down to that Boeing should call up Rolls-Royce and GE and offer them into a 767 reengining project. Ditto for the 757 if something can be done in that arena. If I was an airline exec and I was already happy with a 767 fleet, I'd want to build on that with a new engine. The USAF did a few years back by re-engining the KC-135 transports/tankers and a company founded by a former McDonnell Douglas executive, Jackson McGowan, whose company, Cammacorp, turned out about 100+ re-engined Douglas DC-8s with high-bypass turbofans.
Hey, can someone give me money to start an airline?
And if all that wasn't bad enough, a CNET writer gave me the exact reason why I've lost a fair bit of interest in Apple: the rumor mills. I stopped going on MacNN and it's affiliate websites a few years back. I probably don't even know my password for their forums.
Once again, people are putting words in the mouths of celebrities. Give Morgan Freeman a break. As much as it sounds wonderful and I'd like to believe that Freeman would write something like that, I can't. Not in today's society which resembles the phone chains we did in elementary school (back to that again!)
And finally, I close by yet another argument: Jennifer Lawrence, from the Hunger Games fame, looks just like someone I went to college with who honestly is one of the most attractive ladies I've come into over the years.
I'm done. There might be updates to this for clarity's sake and all that jazz, and because I like that stuff.
Signed,
Mediocre Man
P.S. Rachel, if you're reading this, disregard liking this because I know almost anything I say you agree with.
Sasha's commentary for 3 December 2012 (TWO WEEKS LATE)
1) I might be totally wrong here, but I want to pose this theory:
I'm now advocating for going back to the one room schoolhouse. Centralizing the s*** out of American public education has failed. It's interesting how once school districts merged across the nation, the quality of American education suffered and in fact has become more expensive.
That or bring in the overseas experts. We're trying to have Americans solve our education crisis when I wonder if Americans are competent enough to do it. I would like to believe we are.
Now for my opinion on the news:
In a recent Huffington Post blog from former NBCUniversal (GE) chief Bob Wright, who is now one of the honchos over at Autism Speaks wrote how
A little memo to Mr. Wright: I support much of the work that Autism Speaks has done, but there's one BIG problem: in the autism community (as in those who are autistic and are active in self-advocacy and whatnot) Autism Speaks has a public relations issue. Ask your run of the mill Aspie out there, and they will tell you that Autism Speaks is the work of Satan himself. Of course I am exaggerating a bit, but still. Most HFA (high functioning autistics) and Aspies don't want to be cured of autism, for various reasons. I worry that if I were to become neurotypical, I would lose most of my polymath abilities. (I shouldn't speak too soon, because Bruce Dickinson, the leader (and chief pilot) of metal band Iron Maiden is a polymath, almost to where he could be a semi-savant, but he's neurotypical).
How about this Mr. Wright: instead of "It's time to listen" how about "We're listening". Because a lot of auties/Aspies out there have a lot to say, and it's fairly critical. Personally, I have not much of a problem with Autism Speaks (except they come off a little bureaucratic and pushy) but some hate the organization outright. It's time for a new strategy, and one where auties and Aspies are accepted for who they are.
I tried starting an Autism Speaks chapter at SUNY Potsdam, where not so long ago I attended. It didn't get off the ground, but I at least hope that autism awareness on the campus of my alma mater is now ignited. I tried getting a Quidditch team running at Potsdam, and that was a farce, but with this new Harry Potter oriented "do-gooder" group, who knows. A lot of their fundraisers (I think) have been through Quidditch matches. But that's besides the point.
Well, it's official. The Dutchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is baking the future king/queen of England. Next summer, it'll be Prince William all over again, circa 1984. Yay. Can we go on with our lives and be happy for William and Kate and let them have their privacy. I'll quote the Queen herself: "It's a private matter".
According to CNN, Lake Placid is a real life wonderland. Cool. New York has something other states in the Northeast don't have. A mini Aspen right in our own backyard. But CNN, you got something SERIOUSLY wrong. It's not "43 peaks for hiking". It's 46. Do your homework CNN.
I'm now advocating for going back to the one room schoolhouse. Centralizing the s*** out of American public education has failed. It's interesting how once school districts merged across the nation, the quality of American education suffered and in fact has become more expensive.
That or bring in the overseas experts. We're trying to have Americans solve our education crisis when I wonder if Americans are competent enough to do it. I would like to believe we are.
Now for my opinion on the news:
In a recent Huffington Post blog from former NBCUniversal (GE) chief Bob Wright, who is now one of the honchos over at Autism Speaks wrote how
A little memo to Mr. Wright: I support much of the work that Autism Speaks has done, but there's one BIG problem: in the autism community (as in those who are autistic and are active in self-advocacy and whatnot) Autism Speaks has a public relations issue. Ask your run of the mill Aspie out there, and they will tell you that Autism Speaks is the work of Satan himself. Of course I am exaggerating a bit, but still. Most HFA (high functioning autistics) and Aspies don't want to be cured of autism, for various reasons. I worry that if I were to become neurotypical, I would lose most of my polymath abilities. (I shouldn't speak too soon, because Bruce Dickinson, the leader (and chief pilot) of metal band Iron Maiden is a polymath, almost to where he could be a semi-savant, but he's neurotypical).
How about this Mr. Wright: instead of "It's time to listen" how about "We're listening". Because a lot of auties/Aspies out there have a lot to say, and it's fairly critical. Personally, I have not much of a problem with Autism Speaks (except they come off a little bureaucratic and pushy) but some hate the organization outright. It's time for a new strategy, and one where auties and Aspies are accepted for who they are.
I tried starting an Autism Speaks chapter at SUNY Potsdam, where not so long ago I attended. It didn't get off the ground, but I at least hope that autism awareness on the campus of my alma mater is now ignited. I tried getting a Quidditch team running at Potsdam, and that was a farce, but with this new Harry Potter oriented "do-gooder" group, who knows. A lot of their fundraisers (I think) have been through Quidditch matches. But that's besides the point.
Well, it's official. The Dutchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is baking the future king/queen of England. Next summer, it'll be Prince William all over again, circa 1984. Yay. Can we go on with our lives and be happy for William and Kate and let them have their privacy. I'll quote the Queen herself: "It's a private matter".
According to CNN, Lake Placid is a real life wonderland. Cool. New York has something other states in the Northeast don't have. A mini Aspen right in our own backyard. But CNN, you got something SERIOUSLY wrong. It's not "43 peaks for hiking". It's 46. Do your homework CNN.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Mediocre Man's Opinions for the 29th of November
Here's my opinion of the news today (all courtesy of the bias that is the former MSNBC):
In the news of idea of a John Kerry post as Secretary of State, I kind of have to agree with the Republican Party. But for indirect reasons: the GOP have a voice, and if they don't feel comfortable with having Susan Rice as Secretary of State, then by all means let them choose someone. How about Jon Huntsman? The GOP told him in spirit to get the "f*ck out" of the Presidential race because he was too liberal for the modern day GOP. Gov. Huntsman in my opinion is a Utahan and Republican (both benefits for Obama) who is simply not much of a liability. He has no record that I know of in regards to stupid moves. And he's out of work already, and for him to choose Huntsman might seem desperate, but a sign of bipartianship and an ability to work together would be a good omen for the start of Obama's Part II (or III if you include the Senate) in D.C.
The GOP is still stuck with the idea that "we can't raise taxes on the rich". WABOBS. They deserve to cough up a bit more. Is an additional $5K or $10K going to hurt a millionaire? I don't think so. I could pull the old "Jewish greed" out of my rear on this one. There's no excuse, because Eric Cantor, even this coming January, will still be the only Jewish Republican in Congress. And I can't quite count Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, because she's Episcopalian, even though she votes Jewish on Middle East issues, as she has Jewish heritage. But she breaks with the GOP on most social issues, a product of her personal life and living in LGBT-friendly South Florida.
I'm feeling a little bit better than I did last year about the direction our nation is heading in. Same-sex marriage has been approved by voters for the first time in American history, heck, I have a hum-ho job, but the future is still bright. '12 was a shitty year, but hopefully '13 will be brighter.
I'll kind of quote Edna Mode on this one. "NO BUYOUTS". (Include her eccentric accent). There's been too much buyout activity over the last few years. Let the little guys get power first.
I'm glad that Mitt Romney's no longer being a sore loser. At the same time, Obama should use the meeting to judge the Republican mood on the nation. And Congress this coming January should get some kind of talking down to like you would a child. The least productive Congress in six decades? I don't send my representatives to DC to get involved in gridlock.
An easy reason I believe why Windows 8 is off to slow sales: it has a new interface only a new (first time) mother could love.
Yeah, this is old news, but it illustrates one of my pitfalls in life: I miss being young. I miss high school and I kind of miss being 16. I wish I knew what I knew about socials skills now when I was that age. And hats off to McKayla for getting POTUS to show his soft spot. I couldn't have imagined this happening in a Romney White House.
Intel doesn't realize that PC gamers need desktops. Try running Flight Simulator X on a laptop. Thought so. I hope this idea is as much a failure as Apple's Copland OS or Windows Vista or the Apple Lisa or the Sega Saturn. And if my processors craps, guess what? I have to replace the entire board! And forget about aftermarket heatsinks (although personally I don't overclock, I use smart cases and I promote proper airflow in my PCs). Hi AMD!!!! :P
From my Facebook wall: "I still don't buy the myth that a laptop is as equally powerful as a desktop PC built today. You can't fit a desktop graphics chip in a laptop, and what happens if the rare occurrence of your motherboard and/or processor crap out? You have to replace the entire unit. And if you realize that the Core i3 you bought isn't powerful enough, you're stuck with it unless you replace the entire board, which will be pricy. I know the Intel Atom MOBOs have BGA integration into the board already, but I'm not going to play TF2 on my nettop."
"This might be another example of me not wanting to move along with computing progress, but DIY repairs and replacements are crucial in my department. But who knows? I am probably overreacting, just as I usually do. And I refuse to use Facebook as a gaming platform."
You're too late Air France, Continental got bought out by United and joined the Dark Side. Yes, the Star Alliance is a monopoly in my book.
And New York thinks that one size fits all. AGAIN. And why does New York have to be the messed (or f*cked) up state? If there's a court challenge on the APPR, count me in! There are some cost cutting ideas that I like, one being school districts share administrators (and colleges if all works out). But New York in my eyes is an intimate state in regards to community autonomy. Brushton and Moira are different from Madrid and Waddington, and Liberty is different from Roscoe (two Sullivan County communities)
In the news of idea of a John Kerry post as Secretary of State, I kind of have to agree with the Republican Party. But for indirect reasons: the GOP have a voice, and if they don't feel comfortable with having Susan Rice as Secretary of State, then by all means let them choose someone. How about Jon Huntsman? The GOP told him in spirit to get the "f*ck out" of the Presidential race because he was too liberal for the modern day GOP. Gov. Huntsman in my opinion is a Utahan and Republican (both benefits for Obama) who is simply not much of a liability. He has no record that I know of in regards to stupid moves. And he's out of work already, and for him to choose Huntsman might seem desperate, but a sign of bipartianship and an ability to work together would be a good omen for the start of Obama's Part II (or III if you include the Senate) in D.C.
The GOP is still stuck with the idea that "we can't raise taxes on the rich". WABOBS. They deserve to cough up a bit more. Is an additional $5K or $10K going to hurt a millionaire? I don't think so. I could pull the old "Jewish greed" out of my rear on this one. There's no excuse, because Eric Cantor, even this coming January, will still be the only Jewish Republican in Congress. And I can't quite count Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, because she's Episcopalian, even though she votes Jewish on Middle East issues, as she has Jewish heritage. But she breaks with the GOP on most social issues, a product of her personal life and living in LGBT-friendly South Florida.
I'm feeling a little bit better than I did last year about the direction our nation is heading in. Same-sex marriage has been approved by voters for the first time in American history, heck, I have a hum-ho job, but the future is still bright. '12 was a shitty year, but hopefully '13 will be brighter.
I'll kind of quote Edna Mode on this one. "NO BUYOUTS". (Include her eccentric accent). There's been too much buyout activity over the last few years. Let the little guys get power first.
I'm glad that Mitt Romney's no longer being a sore loser. At the same time, Obama should use the meeting to judge the Republican mood on the nation. And Congress this coming January should get some kind of talking down to like you would a child. The least productive Congress in six decades? I don't send my representatives to DC to get involved in gridlock.
An easy reason I believe why Windows 8 is off to slow sales: it has a new interface only a new (first time) mother could love.
Yeah, this is old news, but it illustrates one of my pitfalls in life: I miss being young. I miss high school and I kind of miss being 16. I wish I knew what I knew about socials skills now when I was that age. And hats off to McKayla for getting POTUS to show his soft spot. I couldn't have imagined this happening in a Romney White House.
Intel doesn't realize that PC gamers need desktops. Try running Flight Simulator X on a laptop. Thought so. I hope this idea is as much a failure as Apple's Copland OS or Windows Vista or the Apple Lisa or the Sega Saturn. And if my processors craps, guess what? I have to replace the entire board! And forget about aftermarket heatsinks (although personally I don't overclock, I use smart cases and I promote proper airflow in my PCs). Hi AMD!!!! :P
From my Facebook wall: "I still don't buy the myth that a laptop is as equally powerful as a desktop PC built today. You can't fit a desktop graphics chip in a laptop, and what happens if the rare occurrence of your motherboard and/or processor crap out? You have to replace the entire unit. And if you realize that the Core i3 you bought isn't powerful enough, you're stuck with it unless you replace the entire board, which will be pricy. I know the Intel Atom MOBOs have BGA integration into the board already, but I'm not going to play TF2 on my nettop."
"This might be another example of me not wanting to move along with computing progress, but DIY repairs and replacements are crucial in my department. But who knows? I am probably overreacting, just as I usually do. And I refuse to use Facebook as a gaming platform."
You're too late Air France, Continental got bought out by United and joined the Dark Side. Yes, the Star Alliance is a monopoly in my book.
And New York thinks that one size fits all. AGAIN. And why does New York have to be the messed (or f*cked) up state? If there's a court challenge on the APPR, count me in! There are some cost cutting ideas that I like, one being school districts share administrators (and colleges if all works out). But New York in my eyes is an intimate state in regards to community autonomy. Brushton and Moira are different from Madrid and Waddington, and Liberty is different from Roscoe (two Sullivan County communities)
Saturday, November 24, 2012
The Long Dream
Befriending French Canadian flight attendant with an American accent. We chatted about how thin the blankets are on the plane, especially with the plane so cool on the inside. Courtney from a forum I belong to, adding her on Facebook to find her last name began with a "B" and she looked like a black haired twin of another person I know. I also in my dream helped a SUNY Potsdam professor with some psychology thing. And the house in Ferndale, which was almost totally renovated with new windows and the works, right down the hill from a church that was totally renovated as well. Another involved this girl I like, whose name I'm not telling. and we went for a drive and cuddled a little bit. What was supposed to be Stowell Hall looked more like Maxcy from the inside, When the 747 landed, it was in Gdansk, Poland or some Polish city, except it looked more like an Americanized version of Hong Kong, and I was trying to befriend the pilots with aviation jabber, but with no success. And there was this girl's mom who was following me in a full-size Dodge Ram Van, with the girl's younger brother in tow.That's the dream I had one night. It was nice though.
Common courtesy for the Aspergian/Aspie #1
Okay, I know this is a sticky topic, but I want to be frank.
I can't really tell if you have a crush on me. I have a hard time reading body language most of the time and thus, if you were trying to somehow flirt with me I couldn't tell if your flirt was sincere.
The moral of the story: if you have a crush on me, let me know!!! Send me a Facebook message, email, text message, you name it!
Oh, and on another note, my eye is very uncomfortable. I got scratched by my cat earlier this morning. My bottom eyelid is scarred.
I can't really tell if you have a crush on me. I have a hard time reading body language most of the time and thus, if you were trying to somehow flirt with me I couldn't tell if your flirt was sincere.
The moral of the story: if you have a crush on me, let me know!!! Send me a Facebook message, email, text message, you name it!
Oh, and on another note, my eye is very uncomfortable. I got scratched by my cat earlier this morning. My bottom eyelid is scarred.
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